As renewable energy projects falter, questions mount about their ecological and economic sustainability. From fried birds to unrecyclable waste, the hidden costs of green energy are coming to light.

Key Points

• The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California, once hailed as a green energy marvel, is shutting down after a decade of ecological harm and financial failure.
• Offshore wind projects, like Atlantic Shores in New Jersey, are collapsing despite massive subsidies, leaving ratepayers to foot the bill.
• Wind turbine blades, made of non-recyclable materials, are piling up in “wind graveyards,” raising concerns about long-term environmental impact.
• Bird deaths caused by solar and wind installations are drawing scrutiny, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of avian fatalities annually.

The Ivanpah solar plant: a monument to failure

In the Mojave Desert, the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System stands as a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of green energy projects. Built in 2014 with significant taxpayer backing, the plant was designed to harness solar power using thousands of mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto towers. Instead, it became infamous for its lethal impact on wildlife.

Federal wildlife officials described Ivanpah as a “mega-trap” for birds, with its intense light rays attracting insects and, in turn, birds that were incinerated mid-flight. Workers dubbed these tragic incidents “streamers,” referring to the smoke plumes left behind. At its peak, the plant was estimated to kill one bird every two minutes, totaling over 130,000 avian deaths annually.

Despite its ecological toll, Ivanpah struggled to meet energy production targets. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), one of its primary customers, announced in 2025 that it would no longer purchase power from the plant. Two of its three towers will shut down next year, with the third likely to follow.

“It might have functioned merely as the world’s most expensive backyard bug zapper,” quipped the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Offshore wind: a costly gamble

While solar projects face scrutiny, offshore wind energy is also encountering significant setbacks. In New Jersey, Shell recently abandoned its 50% stake in the Atlantic Shores wind farm, taking a $1 billion impairment rather than completing the project. The state’s Board of Public Utilities canceled its request for a wind-energy provider, leaving the 2,800-megawatt project without a customer.

The financial burden of such projects often falls on ratepayers. A review by Whitestrand Consulting found that Atlantic Shores would have charged three times the market price for electricity, raising rates by 11% for residents and up to 15% for businesses. Over the wind farm’s lifetime, this would have cost consumers an estimated $48 billion.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a staunch advocate for renewable energy, has faced criticism for prioritizing green initiatives over economic reality. “A once-in-a-generation opportunity,” he called offshore wind. Critics argue it’s more accurately described as a “once-in-a-generation failure.”

The problem with wind turbines: broken blades and unrecyclable waste

Wind energy’s challenges extend beyond financial viability. In July 2024, a massive wind turbine blade shattered off the coast of Massachusetts, scattering debris across Nantucket Island’s beaches and prompting a federal investigation. The incident raised concerns about the safety and reliability of offshore wind farms, particularly as similar failures have occurred in the U.K. and Germany.

Compounding the issue is the non-recyclable nature of wind turbine blades, which are made from fiberglass or fiber-reinforced plastic. As these blades reach the end of their 20- to 25-year lifespans, they are piling up in “wind graveyards” across the U.S. In Sweetwater, Texas, a 30-acre site is filled with stacks of discarded blades, some as tall as basketball backboards.

“The Biden-Harris administration has not indicated what or who it expects to deal with the mountain of waste,” noted the Institute for Energy Research.

The environmental impact of renewable energy projects is not limited to waste. The American Bird Conservancy estimates that wind turbines kill approximately 538,000 birds annually in the U.S., with raptors like golden eagles and migratory songbirds particularly vulnerable. Solar installations like Ivanpah have added to this toll, with hundreds of thousands of birds killed over the past decade.

Despite billions in subsidies, many green energy projects remain unprofitable. From Ivanpah to Atlantic Shores, the pattern is clear: without government support, these ventures cannot compete in the energy market. The failures of Ivanpah, Atlantic Shores, and countless other green energy projects serve as a cautionary tale. While the push for renewable energy is driven by noble intentions, the reality is far more complex. Ecological harm, financial unsustainability, and logistical challenges have exposed the dark side of green energy.

Sources include:

Mishtalk.com

ReviewJournal.com

WSJ.com